Low cost game board and game

ABSTRACT

A game structure which may be packaged and sold separately or as part of a package for a beverage container, including bottles for water, soda, adult beverages and the like. While the game structure is adaptable for use with bottles of various types, it may be included in packaging for cans, in addition to bottles, so long as an associated bottle is available for use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/386,289 filed Sep. 24, 2010, and which isincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to provide some form of fun competitive sportgame, for example, at social events or in gatherings of people in socialsettings. Preferably, one would desire the game to at least resemble thesport being played. So called sports bars offering food, refreshmentsand multiple television sets have become popular for socializing andwatching sporting events, including, for example, soccer, football,rugby, basketball, hockey and multiple other sports events that come tomind. To capitalize on the sports bar phenomenon and similar socialsituations, I have developed a low cost game construction that can bedistributed to those interested in participating in friendlycompetition, the game components being essentially disposable after use.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there are a numberof games and game devices available which attempt to meet this need.However, there is a general lack of social games devices, which are lowcost and widely available, and may be included, for example, as part ofthe packaging of beverages and the like.

SUMMARY

Briefly stated, the present invention is a disposable game board havinga sports theme. A game board is configured for assembly into a simulatedsports goal, which can engage with a beverage container. Players shootgame pieces, such as bottle caps, at the simulated goal for scoring. Thegame board can simulate a plurality of sports, including, but notlimited to, basketball, soccer, or hockey.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the disclosure aswell as embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the readingof the following description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated basketballgoal;

FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulatedbasketball goal;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated soccer goal;

FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulated soccergoal

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated footballgoal;

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulatedfootball goal;

FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a game board for a simulated hockey goal

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view of the game board for the simulated hockeygoal;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the simulated football goal engagedwith a beverage container;

FIG. 5B is another perspective view of an simulated football goalengaged with a beverage container;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the simulated basketball goal engagedwith a beverage container;

FIG. 5D is another perspective view of the simulated basketball goalengaged with a beverage container;

FIG. 5E is a perspective view of the simulated soccer goal engaged witha beverage container; and

FIG. 5F is a perspective view of the simulated hockey goal engaged witha beverage container.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention byway of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearlyenables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describesseveral embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses ofthe disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best modeof carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and the arrangements of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosureis capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carriedout in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5F, an embodiment constructed in accordance with thepresent disclosure, generally referred to as a disposable game board 10,includes a plurality of foldable sections 12 shaped and sized forassembly into a simulated sport goal 14. The assembled goal 14detachably engages with a beverage container 16 so that the goal 14 ispositioned for gameplay (FIGS. 5A-5F). Players toss or flip game pieces,such as bottle caps, at the goal 14. Players can track scoring using anysuitable method.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the game board 10, which isshaped and sized to simulate a basketball goal. The game board 10 isgenerally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections:(A) Engagement portion; (B) rear board face; (C) front board face; (D)hoop face; (E) front hoop face; (F) bottom face; and (G) rear hoop face.Corresponding folding seams 18 are positioned along the junction betweeneach section as indicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; E-F; F-G.The seams 18 are generally parallel to each other and spaced at apredetermined distance to permit assembly of the game board 10 into asimulated basketball goal 14.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generallycircular detachable perforated member 20. When the perforated member 20is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circularopening 21 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beverage container16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 22 of the beverage container16.

The rear board face (B) is generally shaped like a basketball backboardand defines a pair of slots 24 positioned along each edge. The frontboard face (C) is generally shaped like a basketball backboard anddefines a pair of tabs 26 that are shaped and sized to secure with slots24. As shown in FIG. 5A, folding along seam B-C, allows the tabs tosecure with slots 24 and form a simulated backboard. Folding along seamA-B until the engagement portion (A) is generally perpendicular to thesimulated backboard positions the opening 21 for engagement with thebeverage container 16. Sections (D), (E), (F), and (G) are generallyrectangular and are formed into a box by folding along seams D-E; E-F;and F-G. Tabs 28 extending from the rear hoop face (G) secure with slots24 in hoop face (D). A generally circular perforated member 30 in hoopface (D) is detachable to define a goal opening 32.

Appropriate indicia 34 are printed on all faces of the game board 10 toenhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but not limitedto, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second embodiment of the game board 110, which isshaped and sized to simulate a soccer goal. The game board 110 isgenerally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections:(A) Engagement portion; (B) rear face; (C) top goal face; (D) goal face;(E) bottom goal face; and (F) rear goal face. Corresponding foldingseams 118 are positioned along the junction between each section asindicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; and E-F. The seams 118are generally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermineddistance to permit assembly of the game board 10 into a simulated soccergoal 114.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generallycircular detachable perforated member 120. When the perforated member120 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circularopening 121 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beveragecontainer 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 17 of the beveragecontainer 16.

The rear face (B) is generally rectangular. The top goal face (C) isgenerally rectangular shaped and simulates the top of a soccer goal. Thetop goal face (C) defines a pair of slots 124 positioned along each aseam B-C. The goal face (D) is generally rectangular and simulates theshape of a soccer goal. A generally rectangular perforated section 130is detachable to define a goal opening 132 for receiving game pieces.The bottom goal face (E) is generally rectangular and simulates a bottomof a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F) is generally rectangular andsimulates a rear portion of a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F)defines a pair of tabs 128 that are shaped and sized to secure withslots 124. As shown in FIG. 5E, folding along seams C-D, D-E and E-F, toform a box allows the tabs 128 to secure with slots 124 and form asimulated soccer goal. Folding along seam A-B until the engagementportion (A) is generally perpendicular to the rear face (B) positionsthe opening 121 for engagement with the beverage container 16.

Appropriate indicia 134 are printed on all faces of the game board 110to enhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but notlimited to, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of the game board 210, which isshaped and sized to simulate a football goal. The game board 210 isgenerally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections:(A) Engagement portion; (B) rear face; (C) extension face; (D) goalface; (E) front goalpost face; (F) bottom goalpost face; (G) reargoalpost face; and (H) game piece portion. Corresponding folding seams218 are positioned along the junction between each section as indicatedby section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; E-F; G-H. The seams 218 aregenerally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermined distanceto permit assembly of the game board 210 into a simulated football goal214.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generallycircular detachable perforated member 220. When the perforated member220 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circularopening 221 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beveragecontainer 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 17 of the beveragecontainer 16. Folding along seam A-B until the engagement portion (A) isgenerally perpendicular to the rear face (B) positions the opening 221for engagement with the beverage container 16.

The rear face (B) is generally rectangular. The extension face (C) isgenerally rectangular shaped and spaces the football goal at apredetermined distance from the beverage container 16. The extensionface (C) defines a pair of slot 224 positioned generally along themidsection of the extension face (C). The goal face (D) is generallyrectangular and simulates the shape of a football goal. A pair ofgenerally rectangular perforated sections 230 is detachable to define agoal opening 232 for receiving game pieces. The front goalpost face (E);bottom goalpost face (F); and rear goalpost face (G) fold along seamsD-E, E-F, and F-G to generally form a box. The end of the rear goalpostface (G) section inserts into the slot 224. The game piece portion (H)is generally rectangular and detaches from the rear goalpost face (G). Apair of game pieces 240 detaches from the game piece portion (H) andform generally triangular shaped game pieces.

Appropriate indicia 234 are printed on all faces of the game board 210to enhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but notlimited to, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a fourth embodiment of the game board 310, which isshaped and sized to simulate a hockey goal. The embodiment of FIGS.4A-4B is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2B. The game board 310 isgenerally rectangular and defines the following plurality of sections:(A) Engagement portion; (B) rear face; (C) top goal face; (D) goal face;(E) bottom goal face; and (F) rear goal face. Corresponding foldingseams 318 are positioned along the junction between each section asindicated by section lines A-B; B-C; C-D; D-E; and E-F. The seams 318are generally parallel to each other and spaced at a predetermineddistance to permit assembly of the game board 10 into a simulated soccergoal 314.

The engagement portion (A) is generally square and defines a generallycircular detachable perforated member 320. When the perforated member320 is removed, the engagement portion (A) defines a generally circularopening 321 sized and shaped to slide over a neck of a beveragecontainer 16 and rest on the top of the lower portion 17 of the beveragecontainer 16.

The rear face (B) is generally rectangular. The top goal face (C) isgenerally rectangular shaped and simulates the top of a soccer goal. Thetop goal face (C) defines a pair of slots 324 positioned along each aseam B-C. The goal face (D) is generally rectangular and simulates theshape of a soccer goal. A generally rectangular perforated section 330is detachable to define a goal opening 332 for receiving game pieces.The bottom goal face (E) is generally rectangular and simulates a bottomof a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F) is generally rectangular andsimulates a rear portion of a soccer goal. The rear goal face (F)defines a pair of tabs 328 that are shaped and sized to secure withslots 324. As shown in FIG. 5E, folding along seams C-D, D-E and E-F, toform a box allows the tabs 328 to secure with slots 324 and form asimulated hockey goal. Folding along seam A-B until the engagementportion (A) is generally perpendicular to the rear face (B) positionsthe opening 321 for engagement with the beverage container 16.

Appropriate indicia 34 are printed on all faces of the game board 10 toenhance the aesthetics of the simulated goal, including, but not limitedto, assembly instructions, advertising, or promotional items.

A particular feature of the embodiments of this disclosure is that thegame board can be included as part of the packaging for the beveragecontainers. For example, the game board can be included as a separatecomponent included with the packaging of a beverage. Alternatively, thegame board can be integrated or formed from the packaging of thebeverages. Specifically, the game board can be stamped with perforationsin the six pack, twelve pack or case and other packaging or carrier ofbeverages, and removed from the carrier proper for use.

The game board is preferably made from a low cost disposable material,such as cardboard or card stock, to permit distribution for promotionalpurposes at either no cost or minimal cost to establishments selling theproducts which the game construction uses in conjunction with itsapplication.

Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing fromthe scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A game structure, comprising: a foldable mechanism having a portionadapted to receive the neck of a bottle; and a scoring sectionintegrally formed with the first section, the scoring section beingsuspended in use by the attachment of the foldable mechanism to thebottle.
 2. The game structure of claim 1, where the scoring section isselected from the group comprising: football goal posts; basketballgoal; hockey goal; and soccer goal.
 3. The game structure of claim 2wherein the game board is packaged with a beverage container package. 4.The game structure of claim 3 wherein the package includes a perforatedsection containing the game structure which is removable from thepackage along the perforated section.
 5. A game board, comprising: aplurality of foldable sections shaped and sized for assembly into asimulated sports goal; wherein at least one of the foldable sectionsdefines an opening sized and shaped to engage a neck of a beveragecontainer; and wherein the simulated sports goal defines an opening forreceiving game pieces.
 6. The game board of claim 5, where the pluralityof foldable sections comprises: an engagement portion configured forengagement of the beverage container; a rear board face generally shapedlike a basketball backboard and defines a pair of slots; a front boardface generally shaped like a basketball backboard and includes a pair oftabs sized and shaped for securement with the slots; a hoop face; abottom face attached to the hoop face; a rear hoop face attached to thebottom face; and wherein the hoop face, bottom face, and rear hoop faceare capable of arrangement in to a simulated basketball goal.
 7. Thegame board of claim 5, where the plurality of foldable sectionscomprises: an engagement portion configured for engagement of thebeverage container; a rear face; a top goal face generally shaped like atop portion of a soccer goal, and defining a pair of slots; a bottomgoal face shaped like a bottom portion of a soccer goal; and a rear goalface shaped like a bottom portion of a soccer goal and defining tabsthat secure with the slots; wherein the top goal face, bottom goal face,and rear goal face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated soccergoal.
 8. The game board of claim 5, where the plurality of foldablesections comprises: an engagement portion configured for engagement ofthe beverage container; a rear face; an extension face attached to therear face; a goal face generally shaped like a football goal, anddefining a goal opening; a front goalpost face; a bottom goalpost face;a rear goalpost face; and wherein the front goalpost face, bottomgoalpost face, and rear goalpost face are capable of arrangement in to asimulated football goal.
 9. A removeable game board integrated as partof a beverage container package, comprising: a plurality of foldablesections shaped and sized for assembly into a simulated sports goal;wherein at least one of the foldable sections defines an opening sizedand shaped to engage a neck of a beverage container; and wherein thesimulated sports goal defines an opening for receiving game pieces. 10.The game board of claim 9, where the plurality of foldable sectionscomprises: an engagement portion configured for engagement of thebeverage container; a rear board face generally shaped like a basketballbackboard and defines a pair of slots; a front board face generallyshaped like a basketball backboard and includes a pair of tabs sized andshaped for securement with the slots; a hoop face; a bottom faceattached to the hoop face; a rear hoop face attached to the bottom face;and wherein the hoop face, bottom face, and rear hoop face are capableof arrangement in to a simulated basketball goal.
 11. The game board ofclaim 10, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises: anengagement portion configured for engagement of the beverage container;a rear face; a top goal face generally shaped like a top portion of asoccer goal, and defining a pair of slots; a bottom goal face shapedlike a bottom portion of a soccer goal; and a rear goal face shaped likea bottom portion of a soccer goal and defining tabs that secure with theslots; wherein the top goal face, bottom goal face, and rear goal faceare capable of arrangement in to a simulated soccer goal.
 12. The gameboard of claim 10, where the plurality of foldable sections comprises:an engagement portion configured for engagement of the beveragecontainer; a rear face; an extension face attached to the rear face; agoal face generally shaped like a football goal, and defining a goalopening; a front goalpost face; a bottom goalpost face; a rear goalpostface; and wherein the front goalpost face, bottom goalpost face, andrear goalpost face are capable of arrangement in to a simulated footballgoal.